Today we pay respects to Michael Pratt GC.

Michael served his community as a Constable in the Victorian Police Force and was the last Australian recipient of the George Cross. 

The George Cross is the highest civilian award and is given for non-operational gallantry, or gallantry not in the presence of an enemy. It is awarded for acts of the greatest herosim, or of the most conspicuous courage, in circumstances of extreme danger.

Awarded in Australi under the Imperial System from 1940 - 1975 when the Australian honours sytem was established, the George Cross was replaced by the Cross of Valour. British awards were still administered in Australia until 1992, and the last George Cross awarded to an Australian was to Michael Pratt in 1978.

The official announcment was published in the London Gazette on 3 July 1978:

The Queen has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the George Cross to the undermentioned - GEORGE CROSS - Michael Kenneth PRATT, Constable, Victoria Police Force.

On the morning of 4th June 1976 three masked men entered a bank and carried out an armed robbery. One of the men ordered the staff to lie on the floor, another jumped over the counter and removed money from the tills while the third remained in the public area and fired a shot in the direction of the manager and a customer when they ran towards the rear of the bank.  

Constable Pratt, who was off-duty and unarmed, was driving past the bank in his private car and saw the men entering the bank; he noticed that each man was masked and carrying a firearm and realised that they were about to commit an armed robbery. He immediately turned his car, switched up the lights and, sounding his horn, mounted the kerb and blocked the bank entrance. He instructed a passer-by to call for police assistance.

The raiders were taken by surprise, but one of them threatened the Constable with a gun and signalled to him to remove the car, whereupon the officer refused, removed the ignition key, and armed himself with the handle of a car jack. The men then attempted to leave the bank by kicking in the lower section of the glass door and climbing over the bonnet of the car. As the first man straddled the front of the car Constable Pratt grabbed him firmly and during the violent struggle which ensued the robber was knocked unconscious. By this time a second gunman had left the bank and climbed over the car, aimed his weapon and threatened to shoot the officer at close range; the man had his arms extended at shoulder height and pointed a revolver directly at Constable Pratt. The first man had by now recovered consciousness and was getting to his feet, so the officer grabbed him again and the man called to the gunman to shoot the Constable. A shot was then fired and Constable Pratt who was in the process of trying to protect his back and at the same time retain his hold on his captive, was seriously wounded.  

Constable Pratt displayed outstanding bravery, devotion to duty and a complete disregard for his own safely when, unarmed and single handed, he faced and attempted to arrest these dangerous armed criminals.

We pay our respects to the family of the late Michael Pratt GC.